The top stories last week

Andrew Duffell, president, Research Park at Florida Atlantic University

U.S. citizens are being targeted and killed by U.S. citizens because of their faith, skin color or political persuasion. People of good faith must come together to find sensible solutions and perhaps most importantly educate our young people about hate, love and living together in society. Today’s sad state of affairs reaffirms my opinion that education is the solution to many of our challenges. Education ensures informed decisions at the ballot box, parents better caring for their children and ensuring they have the right educational environment and highlights the follies of history and disastrous consequences of giving in to hate.

Sheldon Harr, founding rabbi emeritus, Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El

The tragedy perpetrated on our Jewish community is a tragedy perpetrated on all of American society. Crawling out from uncounted number of rocks, the vermine which is identified as anti-Semitism is both a result of centuries of hatred combined with the establishment of a kind of permission to denigrate “the other.” This should not have any place in this world, but especially it should have no place in America. I salute those as well of the myriad of other faith groups who have reached out to our Jewish community.

Gary Resnick, mayor, Wilton Manors

The horrific murders with an AR-15 of 11 Jews worshiping at Tree of Life has hit a chord. Our Wilton Manors community came together for another vigil, like we did after Pulse. The causes are the same, extreme hatred and assault weapons that we should not own. We are suing to overturn Florida’s excessive preemption of local gun regulation. Many are calling to end rhetoric that spurs hatred. But will anything change? As a Tree of Life member stated: “The best way to honor the people who were murdered would be to emulate their decency and goodness.”

Michael Ryan, mayor, Sunrise

Carnage in a house of worship, again. The rise of anti-Semitic acts of violence in our nation and across the world, fueled by access to social media platforms used to fertilize and spread hateful speech, has an impact locally. We feel the insecurity in our communities because no community is beyond the tentacles of hate targeting various groups. It is a sad reality that in our homes, parents are again speaking to their children about prejudice and the dangers rooted in hate speech. Our interfaith community galvanized this past weekend because an attack on one, is an attack on all.

Joshua Thifault, advancement director, Turning Point USA

Hillary Clinton is the gift that keeps on giving. First, she says "I'd like to be President." Sorry. Not happening. She then says, in reference to Black people, "I know they all look alike." Smooth move, especially considering her aggressive push for Andrew Gillum this month. If a Republican said that, we'd never hear the end of it. Meanwhile, Turning Point USA put on the Young Black Leadership Summit at the White House. Conservatives in 2018 don't talk about helping people we actually do it. President Trump is creating a better future for ALL Americans!

James Donnelly, CEO, Castle Group

I take exception to the Oct. 13 Sun-Sentinel editorial titled “Reject Broward penny-tax slush fund. Trust-us transportation plan is full of holes.” I wrote an Op-Ed describing why I support the tax and I encourage you to read it (Oct. 12). To call a funding source for a critical need in our county a “slush fund” when it is supported by a comprehensive plan created by transportation experts is inappropriate. The article suggests we cannot trust our elected officials to spend the proceeds judiciously. I trust the incredible transportation professionals we have in our county to make the right recommendations.

Michael De Lucca, president, Broward Regional Health Planning Council, Inc.

Last week, was the kickoff to the Sixth Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period that runs through Dec.15, 2018. In order to get health coverage to start on Jan.1, 2019, a plan must be selected no later than Dec. 15. During the 2018 open enrollment period in Florida, approximately 1.72 million people enrolled in an ACA plan. With only six (6) weeks to select a health insurance plan, don’t miss out on this opportunity. Visit Healthcare.gov to view and access different health plans or to apply for healthcare coverage.

Earl Maucker, commissioner, City of Lighthouse Point; former Sun Sentinel Editor

Lynn Barrett, chief lawyer for the North Broward Hospital District was fired this week for allegations of mismanagement and creating an environment of fear. Critics have claimed that while physicians have fled Broward Health, Barrett was hiring law firms to investigate hospital operations. Gov. Rick Scott has failed to address the problem over the years other than to throw an occasional political hack on the board. Since he is busy running for the U.S. Senate, maybe he should hire a lawyer to investigate. What's one more attorney feeding off the bottomless pit of taxpayer dollars.